Don't Throw Away That Juice!

[Qapla]

What do you do with the liquid in the jar when the pickles are gone? Down the drain?

 

Here is something you can try ... most of the time the pickle juice is not "spent" on just the one batch of pickles it made. It is still a viable pickling liquid.

 

I recently tried a jar of Claussen Hot & Spicy Dills Slices. They were good - and they do have a bite.

 

After I emptied the pickles from the jar, I chopped a "sweet onion" (you can only truly call them "Vidalia Onions" if they come from Vidalia, Georgia). I took the lid off the jar and placed the jar in the microwave (it is a glass jar) and ran it until the liquid came to a boil. I removed it from the microwave and put the onions in. I replaced the lid - tightly - and set the jar on the counter ... not in the fridge.

 

The next day I turned the jar upside down. The next day back, upright. Did this for a few days, then, into the fridge to get cold.

 

I now have Claussen flavored Hot & Spicy Dill Onions!

 

I have done this with various things like green beans, mushrooms and, yes, even cucumbers.

 

You can usually get one batch of pickles this way. After that, the liquid is spent and does not do so well unless you add more salt, spice and vinegar.

Edited May 7, 2013 by Qapla

[surfergirl]

Love your idea John.

I make similar use of tin fruit juices

Add it to punch. Or when making a cake. I add less sugar.

Cake is moist.

[blue-jay]

Great idea.

I usually add some of the liquid to home made potato salad and things like that.

But I'll have to try your suggestion!

[bagwell1987]

Put a hard boiled egg or 4 in there John! Yummy!

[Toy Poodles]

That's exactly what I do too Cheryl, that's the only way I was taught to pickle eggs.lol